Master Mi Liang is undoubtedly a person who cherishes his life.
Xiong Wuliang will not act rashly until he is absolutely sure to annihilate the Shaohu bandits!
But even if you don't have the strength to take the initiative right now, you should still take precautions.
At least the Shaohu pirates can no longer be allowed to have their way in and out of Xiong Wuliang...
"How many slaves are there in Quyang City?" Xiong Wuliang suddenly asked confusedly.
Zhong Hua glanced at Xiong Wuliang with a look that looked like a fool: "Master, in addition to the craftsmen slaves in the processing factory, there are more than 500 slaves in the house."
Young Master Mi Liang suddenly realized!
He is the only nobleman in Quyang City.
The slaves he owns are all the slaves in Quyang County.
Five hundred people, a lot of people, enough!
If he wants to limit the invasion of Shaohu pirates, Xiong Wuliang really has a good way!
Build a collective farm! Training the collective farm militia! Mobilize the militia to defend yourself!
All in all, it’s just about organizing a bunch of scattered farmers!
Organized farmers can not only effectively curb the invasion of Shaohu pirates, but also greatly improve production efficiency.
For example, the promotion of new things like waterwheels will be much easier.
The production model of collective farms also facilitated the implementation of wartime economy.
"Gather all the slaves, I have something to say." Xiong Wuliang simply ordered.
…
There was a large open space in the center of Quyangjun's mansion, and soon, more than 500 slaves were led here.
These slaves were not as oppressed, ragged, and emaciated as Xiong Wuliang imagined.
In fact, at first glance, these slaves are no different from ordinary farmers.
After all, slaves are the property of their master.
It is true that there are masters who have a big family and a big business and don't care about the life and death of their slaves... But in Quyangjun's lineage, whether Xiong Wei or Xiong Wuliang, they treat these slaves very lovingly.
Xiong Wuliang looked at these slaves and thought secretly.
In his plan, these slaves would form the first collective farm in Quyang County.
After all, collective farms are a new thing in this era, and there must be a demonstration example. Otherwise, if it is implemented forcefully, it will cause resentment among the people.
"Master, all the slaves in the mansion are here." Zhong Hua said with cupped hands.
The five hundred slaves in front of him were men, women, and even children.
In Chu State, slave status was also passed down from generation to generation.
These slaves were not necessarily demoted to slavery because of their sins. Many of them were implicated simply because their ancestors had sinned.
Although the Chu State experienced Wu Qi's reform, the reform was very incomplete and basically retained the classical slavery system intact.
Let’s look at the reforms of the big boss Qin State - Shang Yang had already reformed slavery in the Qin State. Even if he was demoted to a slave for a crime, he could be beheaded on the battlefield to judge his merits and free himself or his family from slavery.
Qin's laws are strict, and "nine punishments and one reward" are not just words. People were often demoted as slaves because of trivial matters. Therefore, the people of Qin desperately wanted to make meritorious deeds on the battlefield, and even "happy to hear the battle."
Therefore, Qin's military meritocracy system is by no means as simple as decapitation to judge meritorious service.
After the Qin State became powerful, various countries in the Central Plains followed the Qin State's example and issued decrees decapitating people to judge their merits.
But the armies of various countries are still far less powerful than the Qin army!
The reason is that after the Qin State's military merit system, there was a complete set of guiding ideology, bureaucratic system, and government orders to endorse it. The military merit system was just a natural expression of this war machine.
Countries in the Central Plains only knew how to excerpt this system and regard the military merit system as a "panacea" thought up by Shang Yang.
In fact, there is no thorough reform like the Qin State in decades, and there is no national conditions and system supporting the military merit system... Naturally, it is impossible to paint a tiger.
From God's perspective and from the perspective of historical development trends, the abolition of slavery is bound to be conducive to improving productivity.
Although Xiong Wuliang could not change the entire Chu country.
But there is still no problem in the ups and downs in the fiefdom!
…
When Xiong Wuliang looked at the slaves, the slaves were also secretly looking at the young prince whom they met for the first time.
"Is this the new young master of Chengjue?"
"So young!"
The slaves whispered.
"I heard that when he was in Yingdu, he was an unlearned and unskilled young man."
"Ah? Then why did he call us all here?"
Everyone started to worry.
"Is there some weird idea that requires us to sacrifice our lives?" Someone began to cry secretly.
"It's very possible - I heard that after this young master ascended the throne, his first order was not to defecate anywhere... Anyway, it's quite outrageous."
"Is this happening??!" Everyone felt that it was outrageous.
After some worries, everyone began to miss their old master Xiong Wei...
Zhong Hua stamped his foot heavily, and the scene quickly became quiet.
Xiong Wuliang cleared his throat:
"Second and third sons, listen, I am Mi Wei's son, Mi Liang, who has newly inherited the title of Lord Quyang."
The slaves did not dare to neglect and bowed down one after another: "Greetings to the Lord..."
Xiong Wuliang waved his hand, indicating that everyone should not be too polite: "You are all old people in the mansion. You have worked hard for me, Qu Yangjun, for many years, and your hard work has paid off!"
"After I ascended the throne, I was deeply moved by your loyalty and years of hard work, and thought that I should give you and others a good home."
Everyone looked at each other.
Xiong Wuliang paused, brewed his emotions, and dropped a bombshell!
"I intend to free you all from slavery! Second and third sons, do you want to live a free life in the future?"
As soon as these words came out, there was a loud bang!
Startled an uproar!
Zhong Hua on the side was so shocked that his jaw dropped and he almost said, "Young Master, think twice."
Didn’t you say that you want to control the Shaohu bandits? What does it have to do with freeing these slaves?
This is all the property of Quyang Junfu! Old Xiong Wei’s family fortune left behind over the years!
Good guy, this is just a bastard. Does Tian feel bad? ?
Thinking of how Xiong Wuliang had always done weird things since he came to Quyang County, but he had never done anything bad... Zhong Hua didn't speak, but pursed his lips tightly, looking constipated...
Zhong Hua almost lost his composure, and the slaves were even more stunned!
Slaves in the Chu State never had a chance to stand up.
now……
All the slaves knelt down one after another and kowtowed: "My Lord is kind!"
Young Master Mi Liang smiled slightly.
"Wait a minute, I can't just free you from slavery!"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked and suspicious again.
"Hmph, I knew it! How could he be so kind?" Someone was secretly angry.
"I don't know how harsh the conditions this young master is going to put forward..." Everyone was worried.
Judging from the current laws in Chu State, the chances of escaping from slavery are very few!
In any case, even if Xiong Wuliang asked them to go to the mines, these slaves would obey him now.
After all, this is a major event for generations of Fuze descendants!
Xiong Wuliang paused for a moment and showed a caring smile:
"You are penniless, and you have no house or land. If you leave Quyangjun's mansion, I'm afraid your next meal will be a problem. Even if I let you go now, how will the second and third sons survive?"
Everyone was startled.
This statement seems to make sense.
However, some people secretly complained - "After saying so much, they just don't want to let me go!"
Xiong Wuliang's face was full of sincerity: "I have something to say, please listen carefully!"
"The Lord Quyang's Mansion will demarcate a piece of land for you, and the Mansion will provide seeds and tools for the two and three sons. Under the guidance of the Mansion, they will work together to cultivate fields, build houses, and create wealth through hard-working hands!"
Xiong Wuliang was good at tempting: "As long as you prove that you can support yourself, I will free you from slavery - the land I provide you will be your home!"
Everyone was in an uproar!
The slaves who were not angry before lowered their heads in shame!
This is a good person!
Not only did they want to let us go, but they were also afraid that we would not be able to take care of ourselves, and they also wanted to provide help.
So put yourself in our shoes!
Such a kind and generous lord, we actually suspected him of evil intentions before...
Damn me!
I couldn't sleep for three days and three nights!
The corners of Zhong Hua's mouth twitched slightly...
Now, he finally understood.
This young master of my own is not Xiong Wuliang... he is clearly Xiong Wuliang!
They say they are setting slaves free.
In fact, these slaves will reclaim land for Quyang County for free. Even in the process, they feel that they are reclaiming their future homes, so they are very motivated!
But what happens after the land is reclaimed? After owning this manor and land, these slaves will still stay in Quyang County and become Lord Quyang's food...
Apart from the fact that the title is no longer a slave, are there any substantial changes? have! I have to do farm work from now on!
And what about Quyang Jun’s Mansion? It’s equivalent to losing nothing!
He still has to thank us!
…
Xiong Wu has a good pearl of wisdom in his hands.
It's all a conspiracy, don't worry they won't be fooled.
Wait for this manor to take shape.
Let's talk briefly about the CPU and say something like 'defend your home and protect a better life'.
These people will spontaneously organize militiamen under their own call and arm themselves to resist the raids of the Shaohu pirates and even the Vietnamese!
These five hundred people are the pilots for reform.
Build a model farm!
These five hundred slaves are grateful to Master Mi Liang and will not go against his will at all.
In this farm, Xiong Wuliang will vigorously promote a series of new things such as curved shaft plows, waterwheels, and farmyard manure without any hindrance.
Manpower can also be concentrated on large-scale infrastructure projects such as digging trenches and widening canals.
It won't take long before the production level of the first agricultural collectivization demonstration farm in the Warring States Period will shock the world!
By then, other farmers in Quyang County will be crying and wanting to join in.
You can reorganize all the food towns, standardize the existing villages, establish a new organizational structure, and fully promote the collective farm model throughout Quyang County!
Not only has the productivity of the fief increased, but it is also possible to organize militia teams that are familiar with the terrain and have a strong will to fight to defend their homeland. Whoever dares to invade will have to weigh it.
From small farmers to collective farms, it can be regarded as the original version of 'land reform'!
